Page 51 of The Secret Life of a Lady
‘I am well, Philippa. I lost control of Starlight, but Lord Killian saved the day.’
Philippa didn’t hide her scowl. ‘Did he?’ She looked between Hannah and Killian.
Hannah tamped down her sudden anger. ‘Yes, he did.’
Killian’s smile was deceptively easy. ‘By the time Starlight stopped her run, we were nearly to the village. Miss Simmons kept her seat remarkably well. She’s a fast learner and could be a fine rider with more practice.’ Killian looked at Hannah with a hooded gaze. Her belly fluttered, and heat pooled low. Delicateskin chafed against her saddle as sweat trickled down the small of her back. She wondered what favour he would ask at midnight. She wondered, and she ached.
‘Hannah excels at whatever she puts her mind to accomplish,’ Philippa snapped.
Killian wisely reined his stallion back, allowing distance between himself, Hannah, and Philippa.
‘We shall make sure not to leave you again, Hannah.’ Ivy rode next to them, bringing her horse alongside Hannah’s left while Millie guided her Cleveland Bay to Hannah’s right.
Safely flanked by her friends and patroness, they returned to the manor.
It had been a long, arduous, dangerous day. Hannah happily retired early after dinner. She wanted nothing more than a short nap and long bath before her intended interlude with Killian.
Unfortunately, Philippa had other plans.
She swept into Hannah’s room without a knock. Hannah was chin-deep in hot water. The staff kindly brought a copper bath to her room, and Hannah was determined to enjoy the luxury regardless of unwanted visitors.
Betty had been bustling around the room but froze, bobbing her head at Philippa in a surprised half-curtsey. ‘Evening, Your Grace. You near scared the life out of me. I’ll never get used to how you two move so silent like.’
Water slopped over the edge of the bath as Hannah twisted to watch the duchess.
Philippa walked past the tub and settled herself on the stuffed chair placed near a large window. She narrowed her gaze atHannah. ‘Exactly what happened between you and Lieutenant General Killian today?’
Hannah sank back into the soapy water. ‘Several things. But not what you think.’
Philippa punched the pillow next to her in an unusual display of frustration. ‘Really? Well, do please enlighten me.’
Hannah tipped her head back against the rim of the tub. ‘I will tell you everything if you tell me one thing.’ She kept her eyes closed but heard Philippa’s exaggerated huff.
‘What?’
‘Why are you so angry about my interest in Killian?’
‘I already told you this. I don’t want him to hurt you.’
Hannah opened her eyes, pulled her legs to her chest, and turned her head to face Philippa. ‘And I already told you, my heart is not involved, therefore he cannot hurt me.’
Philippa stood abruptly, throwing the abused pillow across the room. ‘You lied. You are lying. To yourself. To me. Probably to him. Anyone with eyes in their head can see you’re falling in love with him.’
‘And what if I am?’ Hannah spoke the truth before she realised it.
Oh, God. What if I am?
Philippa fell back into her seat. ‘He will hurt you.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘I know he is a man. A duke with no intentions to marry. A soldier with battle wounds that still bleed. The prime minister’s detective bent on beating us to this killer. How could he not hurt you?’
‘I don’t know.’ Hannah felt the water cooling on her skin. ‘Maybe I will get hurt. Maybe it will be worth it.’
Philippa’s eyes were haunted. Her lips trembled, and shehugged herself in a rare display of vulnerability. ‘It won’t. Trust me.’
‘Was he that awful to you? Lord Winterbourne? I know he was my father, but was he also a monster?’
